With sparkling eyes, Michèle Steurbaut explains with incredible calm and a smile: “I narrowly escaped death twice.” These words, spoken without the slightest sadness, reflect the inner strength of this woman who refuses to be defined by disability. A victim of a stroke and a ruptured aneurysm, she had to relearn how to live. But for her, it was never a question of succumbing to resignation: “My disability could have confined me to solitude. But I am a fighter. Life is too precious for me to let it slip away.”
She not only overcame the physical ordeal, she also found the strength to embrace her passions again. A former wine professional, founder of Ventdanges Scs, she worked alongside sommeliers, winners of the famous show Top Chef, and Michelin-starred chefs for years. She now puts this valuable network at the service of a new cause: opening restaurants to people with disabilities: “Too many establishments claim to be adapted, but in reality, there is still much to be done.”
It was by observing the fears and frustrations of other people who became disabled overnight that Michèle conceived an ambitious project: “Many no longer dare to go out, for fear of disturbing others or because they cannot find places adapted to their needs. I want to change that.”
A MISSION: OPENING GASTRONOMY TO THE FORGOTTEN
With her partner Michel, who has multiple sclerosis and uses a wheelchair, she has often encountered places that claim to be “accessible” without truly being so.
“Some establishments display a disability logo, but in reality, the restrooms are impractical, spaces are too narrow, or facilities are inadequate. It is time to rethink what truly means being welcoming.”
Michèle wants to go further than a simple observation. Last December 10, she created a Facebook group titled “Disabled but We Savor Life.” This exchange platform quickly became a small community, where members share their good tips, experiences, but also their doubts and hopes: “We motivate each other to live life to the fullest.”
Her ambition does not stop there; she is working to identify restaurants truly adapted for people with reduced mobility: “It’s not just about being able to enter with a wheelchair. Accessible restrooms, practical spaces, and a genuine attention to detail are needed so that everyone can enjoy a pleasant experience.”
THE TURNING POINT
Michèle carries this project with such fervor because she knows the pain of losing one’s bearings. “When one becomes disabled overnight, after an accident or illness, one feels lost. Everything seems more difficult, and morale is often at its lowest.”
She herself went through periods of intense distress but found valuable anchors.
One of them is water. “Swimming again was a dream I had buried for a long time,” she recounts. Thanks to a discussion group in Mouscron: “Disability, Let’s Talk About It,” opened in January 2024, she was able to fulfill this wish at the Dauphins swimming pool: “I will never forget that moment. It restored a confidence I had lost.”
Inspired by this experience, she now wants to offer others moments of happiness and self-transcendence. “People with disabilities often have simple dreams, like sharing a good meal. But for many, these dreams seem out of reach. My role is to show them that it is possible.”
JUST SAVOR LIFE
Michèle likes to say she is a “fighter,” but her entourage goes further. “Some of my friends tell me that they almost forget I am disabled,” she smiles. She wants to transmit this resilience through concrete actions, but also through inspiring stories.
With her determination and positive spirit, Michèle could well become a disability influencer, a role she enthusiastically envisions. “If it can help others, why not? I am ready to share my experiences, my solutions, and my frustrations too, because there is still much to be done.”
By Ophélie Wagnon
